Personal blog entries now here. Blogger Boobie-Thon moved here.
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Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river
 I forgot to send out a quick public thanks to Jason last night for helping me with Blogrolling. In case you haven't seen the site updates, there's a new PHP option for your Blogrolls on PHP-enabled weblogs. Why is this a good thing? It loads the Blogroll text into your page before display so it can be read by search engines and other robots (and browsers) that can't read the JavaScript code.

When I got the code added, my "recently updated" images weren't working -- and Jason came to the rescue with lightning-speed. Go give him money today if you haven't already. He makes all of our lives a little bit easier!
posted at 04:39 PM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie
 I wrapped up two more designs this week, and don't have anything on my slate 'til Monday. I don't know what to do with myself. I've almost forgotten what a free weekend was... I guess that's why I had fun playing with my own site last night. I never get to anymore!

The first design is "An Age Like This". He wanted a 'blue Horologium' (also my work), so I did my best to give it to him. You might notice that skyline looks familiar. It's downtown Tampa.

The second one, I have to be honest...I'm not all that happy with TheAgitator.com now... It really evolved away from my original vision, at the client's request. But I made all the necessary changes, and he seems happy with it. That's what count$. (Logo design was by Brian Kieffer.) It was a real challenge because I never got into his copy of MT to set things up. I had to design it as a skin (header and footer file) around my own blog and then send installation instructions to a friend of his. So if there are any bumps...be patient. We're still trying to iron everything out via e-mail.

Wow. A whole weekend for me. Nothing but feeling like the rest of the world -- kicking back, reading Vogue and InStyle, and painting my toenails. Oh crap. I've just come full-circle. Happy weekend everyone!
posted at 04:18 PM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it



Let's get ready to ruuuuummmble!
 I just put a new skin up for the upcoming Monday Night Football game. I thought it was 'bout time that tampatantrum.com had a Tampa Bay skin!
posted at 04:32 AM | link--it | mail it | (3) shout it






Never gonna get it...never gonna get it...
 I went ahead and staked my claim -- Shutterblog is MINE, dammit! So if you have a link to it on your sites, please update to shutterblog.com. Now that I've actually forked over the $$ for the domain, expect a revamp...someday...
posted at 09:36 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



Woooonderful...
 I'm happy Todd's ok and the accident wasn't worse right? Riiiight? Then forgive me as I scream about having to pay $129.93 on Priceline for a rental car on the 18th since we didn't have that as part of our insurance plan. (We do now, but too late...oops!) I forgot about THAT cost in addition to the deductible. Somebody kill me now. Our party goers may be getting zippy straws to make their own hot tub bubbles at Todd's birthday party. The money for the wreck had been earmarked for hot tub parts. C'est la vie!
posted at 07:03 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
 Here's a link from FARK.com that should make everyone nice and queasy early in the morning -- find out your CEO's salary. Just type in the company name, hit search, click on the company name and prepare to be depressed. Although I can't type out the name of the company Todd works for, his Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer will pull in $1,000,000 plus an $800,000 bonus this year -- or so he claims. I happen to know of a few more George Washingtons that aren't getting reported there somewhere... Bastages.
posted at 05:16 AM | link--it | mail it | (5) shout it



Get back honky cat
 Pornographer says he hacked al Qaeda
'I wanted to do something ... I know the Internet'

CIA? We don't need no stinkin' CIA. We've got the porn industry to take down al Qaeda! Let's put Sky on the case, Mikey! She can bring along her light saber. (Read the full article at CNN.com.)
posted at 05:12 AM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



I love, I love, I love my calender girl
 The Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders became the first professional squad in history to pose for a lingerie (vs. swimsuit) calendar for the 2002 season. The official website has 20 images from it. Todd's reaction to the cover shot? "Hummina, hummina, hummina." (Read more about the calendar at SportsbyBrooks and The Philadelphia Daily News.)
posted at 12:30 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it






Hook THIS!
 Maxim Magazine has released their 2002 pre-season top 26 NCAA football poll. A couple of note:


1. OKLAHOMA
2001 record: 11–2 (6–2 Big 12)
Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense
When your top returning receiver is a tight end, it means one of two things: 1. Your offensive coordinator’s as imaginative as a zipper company brand manager; or 2. Your quarterback has the field vision of a chronic masturbator. Replacements at both spots ensure change, for better or worse—but most likely better. Then again, what difference does it make, when Bob Stoops could suit up 11 tranny Eagle Scouts on the other side of the ball and still hold the Longhorns to a field goal?


5. texas
2001 record: 11–2 (7–1 Big 12)
Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense
Mack Brown will not win a national championship. Ever. Hell, the poor bastard will likely never win a conference championship. But four consecutive nine-plus-win seasons have fans and friends believing the longhorns are entitled to a Sears Trophy just for coming within range for so many years. Get used to it. Mack W. Bush is the game’s best recruiter but is mediocre come game day and, along with QB Chris Simms, is deathly allergic to the big game. The luckiest team in the Big 12 finally plays Nebraska and Kansas State—both in down years—and boasts a non-conference slate highlighted by North Carolina, so a 10-win regular season is bankable.


I don't think I could've said it better myself. And I swear I didn't write that. I also particularly liked the rejection letter at the bottom of the page. Check out the full article online at Maxim.
posted at 10:05 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



Survey says!
 Spotted at Kristine's: Ben and Mena would like people to fill out a short survey about Movable Type. They are holding a random drawing to give out 5 recently updated keys to those who submit their answers with e-mail addresses (optional)!
posted at 09:42 PM | link--it | mail it | (0) shout it



A quick public prayer of thanks
 I am way out of it. I take medication for insomnia and I didn't get to bed until almost 6 a.m. this morning. About 15 minutes ago I was woken up by the sound of the front door opening and Claire going nuts. In walked Todd. He'd been in an accident. He's 100% ok. It's still a hazy daze. The front bumper on the Explorer is toast (and it was totally his fault for following too closely, although he wasn't ticketed). But have I mentioned he's fine? My heart stops when I watch the traffic reports each day and they show smashed up vehicles on bridges where the speed gets up to 90 mph. He had a mere fender bender. Excuse me while I go cry and hug him like I'm never going to let go before he has to go back to work. (He's on the phone with our insurance right now.) He can't surf from work anymore, but leave him some love when you can, ok? Thanks.

UPDATE: He snapped a pic of the damage just before he left. Whee.
posted at 09:23 AM | link--it | mail it | (34) shout it



But, but, guns don't kill people. I said...
 This is priceless. How many NRA lectures have we had to endure about guns are safe...it's the people that use them...blah yadda yadda blah. Well thanks to FARK, I found this gem on Yahoo!.

Rep. Bob Barr, a board member of the National Rifle Association, was at an Atlanta reception in his honor. He was handed an antique 1908 Colt .38-caliber pistol by Georgia lobbyist Bruce Widener. However, Widener had removed the magazine but forgot to clear the chamber before handing the weapon to Barr. Widener said "one of us hit the trigger" just as he gave Barr the gun during Friday's reception at Widener's home. A glass door was taken out in a crowded room. But...the quote of the day...

"Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded," said Widener.

Rep. Barr's statement said: "This accident only underscores the importance of proven gun safety measures, especially when owning and handling antique firearms." Gee, I feel so much better now knowing how NRA board members handle weapons -- and help put the spin on their major faux pas with them! How 'bout you?

And if this "stupid people with loaded weapons" story just wasn't enough for you, go check out this story from, yep you guessed it, Texas. I smell a future 2002 Darwin Award winner!
posted at 05:25 AM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



Swimming with sharks...literally
 Note to self: Do not donate to the New Orleans Aquarium next year. The behind-the-scenes tours are a real bitch.

Looks like Gwyneth's claws are finally comin' out. You go girl!

And it sounds like some pigs can't afford to be in space after all...
posted at 04:56 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



Women wave your pantyhose, sing the chorus and it goes...
 I saw a post at Kristine's a bit ago about how two different photolog's had just taken her name "snap!". I commented that I would be crushed if someone took "my Shutterblog" name away from me. So I hopped on Google, and lo and behold, this Shutterblog was born on July 30th, 2002. (My Shutterblog was born on April 15th, 2002, thankyouverymuch.)

I agree with her "can't people be original?" viewpoint. I spend a lot of time thinking up my blog names before taking them public. I Google them first. That's why I'm not "Blah Blah Blog" as a matter of fact. I thought I was being original with that one 'til a quick look on Google told me otherwise. So I went back to the drawing board. Hence ATPTB. I Googled "Shutterblog" first as well.

I realize that Shutter City just morphed their name with the word blog, and probably never even thought to look and see if there was another blog with that name already out there alive 'n' kickin'. But let the record show...I was there first. And I ain't changin' my name just because they took it. Unh uh. No way. Fuhgetaboutit. And I just registered shutterblog.com, too, so nyah-nyah!
posted at 03:50 AM | link--it | mail it | (7) shout it






The eyes of texas have been blackened
 Todd bought a VHS copy of the 2000 OU vs. tx game on eBay this past weekend, and it showed up today. He's watching it right now and the game is in the middle of the first quarter, score OU-14 and tx-0. We won the game 63-14. I know this. But every time Heupel steps out of the huddle I get nervous. Every time Applewhite drops back to pass my heart stops (even though I know it's going nowhere). Man I feel silly. But beating the helloutta texass is serious business, you know. Just 22 days, 21 hours 'til the first kickoff!
posted at 11:00 PM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



I'd like to buy a clue for $200, Alex
 Below is first-draft a copy of the Democratic gubernatorial primary ballot in Florida from the Orlando Sentinel. We did it again. Tell me if this would have confused you... Maybe it's just because I'm a natural blonde, but it sure did me. Notice the circled part says "Vote for One Pair". Only you weren't supposed to select two names on the ballots. You were only supposed to select one. Selecting two would have resulted in a voided ballot. The "pair" part referred to the candidate's choice for lieutenant governor. Only the candidates haven't selected their running mates yet, so the text under the candidate's name read "Not Yet Designated". I'm sorry, but as if the 2000 ballots weren't confusing enough to some -- someone somewhere had to know that these were even more so!

Thank goodness Judge Nikki Clark agreed. Today she just gave her blessing to a plan which will remove one word from the ballot instructions. Ballots will now read "Vote for One" rather than "Vote for One Pair". (Read more at the Orlando Sentinel. This post at "Painfully Cool" reminded me of this story.)

UPDATE: If you didn't think Florida was fucked up enough 'til now, check out this link found over at Seki's. As someone who hopes with every fiber in her being to be able to adopt one day, it just makes me want to cry. Andrea has added an excellent response as well.


posted at 03:27 PM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it



The truth is stranger than fiction
 And now the wacky Wednesday news story of the day from FARK.com: Cape Town police hunt for semen thief

"In a bizarre attack, a job hunter was 'robbed' of sperm in Kraaifontein, after a passerby offered him food, took him home and beat him up before forcing him to ejaculate into a jar.

Police spokesman Ian Rosant confirmed that a 33-year-old man had laid a charge of indecent assault with Kraaifontein police. He said the suspect, described as middle-aged, had offered the man work and food at his home. But instead he took his victim into a room, locked the door and asked him to have sex with his wife.

Rosant said that when the confused and shocked job seeker refused to have sex with his false Samaritan's wife, the man punched him. 'The attacker then partially stripped the frightened man and forcibly caused him to ejaculate' while the woman looked on, Rosant said. The man collected his victim's sperm and sealed it in a jar. The attacker let him go and he fled."
Words...fail me. But at least you can get a free case of beer if you've been bitten by a crocodile, no matter where you live.
posted at 03:53 AM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



Not even for free...
 "Spirit Airlines Tuesday announced its plans for commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, saying it will offer free seats to all passengers on that day. The company’s chief executive, Jacob Schorr, called the 13,000 free seats a 'thank you' to the American public and the airline’s customers."

Sorry guys, but my feet will be firmly planted on the ground that day. I just couldn't possibly imagine flying on September 11th ever again. It's hard enough to come to terms with flying again period. (Read the full article at MSNBC.com.)
posted at 03:07 AM | link--it | mail it | (14) shout it






Crimson reign

Let it rain. Let it rain. Let your love rain down on me.

posted at 09:04 PM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



Girl, don't go away mad. Girl, just go away.
 Last week I bought "The Weblog Handbook: Practical Advice on Creating and Maintaining Your Blog" by Rebecca Blood. In Chapter 5 under "Online Rules of the Road" (page 85), point #1 is:

  • Do not post when you are angry. Period.


    • Although so far the book has made an excellent read, I'm afraid I have to respectfully disagree. I'm a ranter -- I feel some of my best writing gets its start when I go from zero-to-bitch in 0.2 seconds. And some of my favorite blog reads are versed in the fine art of ranting as well. How do you feel about the book's advice? To rant, or not to rant...that is the question...

    UPDATE: The closer I inspect this chapter, I see that perhaps Ms. Blood was implying you should not post when angry online in general -- quite possibily in instances not just specific to your blog. This is addressed in a comment I have made in this thread. It still lends itself to interesting discussion, regardless.
    posted at 06:34 PM | link--it | mail it | (26) shout it



    Also "ready and deserving"?
     Never in a million years will my heart and mind be able to comprehend how the universe will allow women like this to have a healthy baby, and so many of us to never even get the chance. An update to the news story linked -- on the six o'clock newscast they are now saying the baby was approximately 15 hours old when found, not 2 hours old as originally thought. The poor thing is truly going to need the fighting spirit it was obviously born with...
    posted at 06:09 PM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    More Dell hell
     Remember when I told Dell to "byte me" and switched to Apple? Well Chris Pirillo is learning why Inspirons are the pond scum of the laptop world now as well. I'm tellin' ya' folks...just don't do it. Close the Dell website and put the credit card safely away. For every "but mine has never given me any problems" story I hear, there are ten more tales of doom lined up right behind them. And just ask Susan and Joy what happens after making that "but mine's ok" claim! You taunt your Dell, and it says, "Oh yeah, buddy?" right back.
    posted at 05:25 PM | link--it | mail it | (9) shout it



    That's right...it's my birthday, my buh-buh-birthday...
     Don't worry Statia -- I got your back, girl! I hope you have a very happy 30th 31st, Mike! Can't wait to celebrate with ya' at the end of the month...


    posted at 04:29 AM | link--it | mail it | (11) shout it



    I was drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
     Soooo...sometimes it just gets kinda impossible to keep up with the traffic coming in here now. I thought I'd give all those I haven't had time to extend a formal greeting to yet a little "Oklahoma hello", and ask that if you've visited here and/or commented recently - and you know I haven't visited and/or commented at your own blog yet - a chance to speak now or forever hold whirrled peas. I'd love to drop by and say "hi". I need to know where to go first though... Just leave me a comment with directions. Remember, I am a natural blonde. You don't even need to vacuum the floors first! -Robyn
    posted at 03:31 AM | link--it | mail it | (16) shout it



    I love MT, yes I do! I love MT, how 'bout you?
     Lookee what I just found over at Scripty Goddess -- now you can display your Netflix queue in any MT-powered blog!
    posted at 02:52 AM | link--it | mail it | (4) shout it



    The pages from my mind are stripped
     You may have noticed I was unusually quiet - for me - today. That's because I just wrapped up another design tonight (Stacy did the logo!) after several days work on it. I have to say I learned more designing this one than probably the last 2-3 designs combined. That's always a nerve-wrecker at the time (just ask poor Todd), but such a feeling of triumph when the job is complete. So when you get a chance stop by the Neo-Conservative News Portal and tell me I done good. And then go hire Stacy and me, por favor.
    posted at 01:56 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it






    Are you ready for some fooooootball?
     Tonight Monday Night Football makes a triumphant pre-season return as the new Houston Texans take on the New York Giants. I am still mourning the loss of Dennis Miller, however. I cannot stand John Madden.

    "You know, what they're doing now is called a pass. You throw passes in football. Did I tell you about this time I almost didn't pass a math exam? Like this time on 'Matlock'. It's all about timing. And passes are based on timing. Like that time I almost didn't pass..."

    During about 90% of his color commentary I will usually end up screaming, "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SHUT...UP MAN!" The old guy is senile and lost his skillz long ago. Long, long ago... So I thought I'd take a little poll and see which of these two personalities you think would win in a game of "Brain-Dead Celebrity Jeopardy" -- John Madden or Anna Nicole Smith.



    Granted, they're both a few fries short of a Happy Meal. But unless every category was sports or eyeshadow...I think that match-up might be too close to call. Oh well, there's always the mute button. It's time for a Monday Night party! C'mon let's kick it.
    posted at 03:18 PM | link--it | mail it | (13) shout it



    Gig 'em or gag 'em?
     Ok, Christine, I realize you're an Aggie thru and thru -- but someone please tell this man to quit wearing your University's baseball cap out in public as your representative for awhile. I'm going to have nightmares! The horror...

    I need a cute kitten pic now to cleanse my brain.
    posted at 12:48 AM | link--it | mail it | (10) shout it



    You say it's your birthday? It's my birthday, too, yeah!
     Today we don't just have one birthday boy -- we have two! Both Mikey and Jason share August 5th birthdates. So I thought a little greeting from the Costello Twins might be appropriate... Happy birthday guys!


    posted at 12:03 AM | link--it | mail it | (6) shout it



    Tied up in (Celtic) knots
     I didn't do the blog design here, but I just wrapped up the graphic header and link button image designs to the site owner's specs over at "Joshua Claybourn's Domain" (with a little help from Seki's Celtic art stash).
    posted at 12:01 AM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it






    Who's your daddy?
     Seen at Christine's...my BlogTree.com Blog Pedigree. It's a family tree for blogs.
    posted at 05:26 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it



    Buttah ya' bread
     It's been awhile since I've posted any recipes to "The Red Kitchen" because quite frankly, it's too hot in south-central Florida to do a lot of cooking in the summer. But with football starting to creep on TV again (and a Monday Night pre-season game on tap tomorrow), it reminded me of one of our fall favorites -- soup or chili in easy-to-make bread bowls. Bon appétit!
    posted at 02:51 PM | link--it | mail it | (1) shout it